Even holy relics of Saint Lazarus from Cyprus were sought after by the two brothers, hoteliers involved in the so-called “Crete Mafia” case, which has caused a storm in Greece due to the involvement of church and political figures. The two brothers are alleged to be the masterminds of a network that trafficked drugs, extorted businessmen for money, and ran various scams.
The Metropolitan of Kition expressed ignorance of the matter, saying that no relics of Saint Lazarus had been given to any monastery in Cyprus or Crete.
Holy Relics
The relics of Saint Lazarus have emerged at the heart of a Greek police probe into the “Crete Mafia” case, with case files detailing contacts between one of the accused and Archimandrite Melchisedek over a bid to secure his elevation to the Metropolis of Kydonia and Apokoronas in exchange for relics from Cyprus.
The Greek authorities transcripts of conversations between the two accused and various individuals, among them Archimandrite Melchisedek and former Defense Minister Panos Kammenos. One of the accused is said to have spoken with Melchisedek about his appointment as Metropolitan of Kydonia and Apokoronas with the support of political and non-church figures. In return, he allegedly requested relics and even asked whether they were authentic. According to Greek media reports, the Archimandrite assured him of the authenticity of the relics of Saint Lazarus, claiming he had obtained them from an Abbot in Cyprus.
Metropolitan of Kition
Speaking to Politis, Metropolitan Nektarios of Kition said he was unaware of the case, stressing that in his six years on the throne of the Metropolis, no relics of Saint Lazarus had been given to any monastery in Cyprus or Crete.
He also said he could not know whether such relics had been given by his predecessor in earlier years. “It is possible,” he added, “that a very small number of relics were given in the past by my predecessor.” However, he noted that nothing of the sort is recorded and underlined that relics are often exchanged among monasteries. He assured that the relics of Saint Lazarus in Larnaca are fully secured and that access by outsiders is not easy, since they are locked in a reliquary. Only a piece of the skull of Saint Lazarus, he said, is accessible to the faithful for veneration.
The Bishop further explained that Kition is not the central source of the relics of Saint Lazarus and that only part of them are kept in Larnaca. According to tradition, during the reign of Emperor Leo VI the Wise in the 9th century, most of the relics were transferred to Constantinople. After the fall of Constantinople to the Crusaders in 1204, parts of the relics of many saints ended up scattered throughout Europe. He also noted that some relics of Saint Lazarus are believed to be kept in an ancient reliquary in Germany.
Archimandrite Melchisedek
In a written statement yesterday, Archimandrite Melchisedek claimed that he was unaware of any illegal activities by the accused and never believed he could be promoted through improper means. He also stressed that he never received any political or other mediation for his election.
He added: “I have never delivered relics to anyone as an ‘exchange.’ My respect for holy relics is absolute, and I could never move them outside the prescribed ecclesiastical order, let alone for purposes of bargaining or personal gain.”
Panos Kammenos
Particular sensation was caused by the revelation of a conversation allegedly held between one of the accused and former Defense Minister Panos Kammenos.
The published transcript concerned a phone call last month between the accused and Kammenos regarding the promotion of Archimandrite Melchisedek to the metropolitan seat of Kydonia and Apokoronas. In that exchange, Kammenos reportedly informed the accused that he was in the United States and asked whether the election of the Archimandrite depended on American influence. The accused allegedly replied that the Archimandrite was both the choice of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and favored by the US, even by President Donald Trump, as an American base lies within the metropolitan district.
Greek media reported that Kammenos replied that he was at that moment with the new US ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and that he would “take care of the matter.” However, former Minister Kammenos made statements on ANT1 Greece and SKAI denying any involvement. Specifically, he said of the accused: “I knew him from years ago, back when I was in New Democracy. He calls me and tells me about this priest. I said okay, I have contacts. But I never called the priest, nor did I do anything.”
Repercussions
The revelations in the “Crete Mafia” probe are causing turmoil within the Church of Cyprus, as the case file describes a broad network of contacts between the accused and clerical figures. The relics of Saint Lazarus have thus also come under the spotlight, further shaking both ecclesiastical and political circles.